Battery testers with secondary functionality

ABSTRACT

An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured to measure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester is configured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wireless receiver can be configured to receive pressure information from a transmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Continuation of application Ser. No.11/352,945, filed Feb. 12, 2006 which is based on and claims the benefitof U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/731,881, filed Oct.31, 2005, the present application is also a continuation-in-part andclaims priority of U.S. Ser. No. 10/958,812, filed Oct. 5, 2004 which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/460,749, filed Jun. 12, 2003,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/280,186, filed Oct.25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,849, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. Ser. No. 09/816,768, filed Mar. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,586,941, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/192,222, filed Mar. 27, 2000; the presentapplication is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/883,019, filed Jul. 1, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S.Ser. No. 10/280,186, filed Oct. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,849,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/816,768, filed Mar.23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,586,941, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/192,222, filed Mar. 27, 2000,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to battery testers. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to electronic battery testers used for testingstorage batteries.

Storage batteries are an important component of modem automotivevehicles. Vehicles with internal combustion engines use such batteriesto start the engine or run electrical equipment when the engine is notoperating. Electric vehicles use such batteries as a source of power. Itis frequently desirable to test storage batteries so that a failingbattery can be identified and replaced prior to its ultimate failure, sothat a battery with a low state of charge can be recharged, etc. Batterytesters are typically limited to a few types of tests.

Many battery-testing techniques have been developed through the years.Midtronics, Inc. of Willowbrook, Ill. and Dr. Keith S. Champlin havebeen pioneers in battery testing and related technologies. Examples oftheir work are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,873,911, issued Mar. 25, 1975,to Champlin; U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,708, issued Sep. 30, 1975, to Champlin;U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,768, issued Mar. 28, 1989, to Champlin; U.S. Pat.No. 4,825,170, issued Apr. 25, 1989, to Champlin; U.S. Pat. No.4,881,038, issued Nov. 14, 1989, to Champlin; U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,416,issued Mar. 27, 1990, to Champlin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,269, issued Aug.18, 1992, to Champlin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,380, issued Aug. 30, 1994;U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,136, issued Nov. 5, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,355,issued Nov. 12, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,416, issued Dec. 10, 1996;U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,728, issued Dec. 17, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,757,issued Dec. 31, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,093, issued Jan. 7, 1997; U.S.Pat. 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No. 7,295,936, issued Nov.13, 2007; U.S. Pat. No. 7,319,304, issued Jan. 15, 2008; U.S. Ser. No.09/780,146, filed Feb. 9, 2001, entitled STORAGE BATTERY WITH INTEGRALBATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 09/756,638, filed Jan. 8, 2001, entitledMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BATTERY PROPERTIES FROM COMPLEXIMPEDANCE/ADMITTANCE; U.S. Ser. No. 09/862,783, filed May 21, 2001,entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING CELLS AND BATTERIES EMBEDDEDIN SERIES/PARALLEL SYSTEMS; U.S. Ser. No. 09/880,473, filed Jun. 13,2001; entitled BATTERY TEST MODULE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/042,451, filed Jan.8, 2002, entitled BATTERY CHARGE CONTROL DEVICE; U.S. Ser. No.10/109,734, filed Mar. 28, 2002, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORCOUNTERACTING SELF DISCHARGE IN A STORAGE BATTERY; U.S. Ser. No.10/112,998, filed Mar. 29, 2002, entitled BATTERY TESTER WITH BATTERYREPLACEMENT OUTPUT; U.S. Ser. No. 10/263,473, filed Oct. 2, 2002,entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH RELATIVE TEST OUTPUT; U.S. Ser.No. 10/310,385, filed Dec. 5, 2002, entitled BATTERY TEST MODULE; U.S.Ser. No. 10/462,323, filed Jun. 16, 2003, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERYTESTER HAVING A USER INTERFACE TO CONFIGURE A PRINTER; U.S. Ser. No.10/653,342, filed Sep. 2, 2003, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTERCONFIGURED TO PREDICT A LOAD TEST RESULT; U.S. Ser. No. 10/441,271,filed May 19, 2003, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No.09/653,963, filed Sep. 1, 2000, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORCONTROLLING POWER GENERATION AND STORAGE; U.S. Ser. No. 10/174,110,filed Jun. 18, 2002, entitled DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT CONTROL USING ANINTELLIGENT POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; U.S. Ser. No. 10/258,441, filedApr. 9, 2003, entitled CURRENT MEASURING CIRCUIT SUITED FOR BATTERIES;U.S. Ser. No. 10/681,666, filed Oct. 8, 2003, entitled ELECTRONICBATTERY TESTER WITH PROBE LIGHT; U.S. Ser. No. 10/783,682, filed Feb.20, 2004, entitled REPLACEABLE CLAMP FOR ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S.Ser. No. 10/791,141, filed Mar. 2, 2004, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR AUDITING A BATTERY TEST; U.S. Ser. No. 10/867,385, filed Jun. 14,2004, entitled ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE; U.S.Ser. No. 10/896,834, filed Jul. 22, 2004, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERYTESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 10/958,821, filed Oct. 5, 2004, entitledIN-VEHICLE BATTERY MONITOR; U.S. Ser. No. 10/958,812, filed Oct. 5,2004, entitled SCAN TOOL FOR ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No.11/008,456, filed Dec. 9, 2004, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FORPREDICTING BATTERY CAPACITY AND FITNESS FOR SERVICE FROM A BATTERYDYNAMIC PARAMETER AND A RECOVERY VOLTAGE DIFFERENTIAL, U.S. Ser. No.60/587,232, filed Dec. 14, 2004, entitled CELLTRON ULTRA, U.S. Ser. No.11/018,785, filed Dec. 21, 2004, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY MONITOR; U.S.Ser. No. 60/653,537, filed Feb. 16, 2005, entitled CUSTOMER MANAGEDWARRANTY CODE; ; U.S. Ser. No. 11/063,247, filed Feb. 22, 2005, entitledELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER OR CHARGER WITH DATABUS CONNECTION; U.S. Ser.No. 60/665,070, filed Mar. 24, 2005, entitled OHMMETER PROTECTIONCIRCUIT; U.S. Ser. No. 11/141,234, filed May 31, 2005, entitled BATTERYTESTER CAPABLE OF IDENTIFYING FAULTY BATTERY POST ADAPTERS; U.S. Ser.No. 11/143,828, filed Jun. 2, 2005, entitled BATTERY TEST MODULE; U.S.Ser. No. 11/146,608, filed Jun. 7, 2005, entitled SCAN TOOL FORELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 60,694,199, filed Jun. 27,2005, entitled GEL BATTERY CONDUCTANCE COMPENSATION; U.S. Ser. No.11/178,550, filed Jul. 11, 2005, entitled WIRELESS BATTERYTESTER/CHARGER; U.S. Ser. No. 60/705,389, filed Aug. 4, 2005, entitledPORTABLE TOOL THEFT PREVENTION SYSTEM, U.S. Ser. No. 11/207,419, filedAug. 19, 2005, entitled SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GATHERING BATTERYINFORMATION FOR USE DURING BATTERY TESTER/CHARGING, U.S. Ser. No.60/712,322, filed Aug. 29, 2005, entitled AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE ELECTRICALSYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE, U.S. Ser. No. 60/713,168, filed Aug. 31, 2005,entitled LOAD TESTER SIMULATION WITH DISCHARGE COMPENSATION, U.S. Ser.No. 60/731,881, filed Oct. 31, 2005, entitled PLUG-IN FEATURES FORBATTERY TESTERS; U.S. Ser. No. 60/731,887, filed Oct. 31, 2005, entitledAUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE; U.S. Ser. No.11/304,004, filed Dec. 14, 2005, entitled BATTERY TESTER THAT CALCULATESITS OWN REFERENCE VALUES; U.S. Ser. No. 60/751,853, filed Dec. 20, 2005,entitled BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM; U.S. Ser. No. 11/304,004, filed Dec.14, 2005, entitled BATTERY TESTER WITH CALCULATES ITS OWN REFERENCEVALUES; U.S. Ser. No. 60/751,853, filed Dec. 20, 2005, entitled BATTERYMONITORING SYSTEM; U.S. Ser. No. 11/352,945, filed Feb. 13, 2006,entitled BATTERY TESTERS WITH SECONDARY FUNCTIONALITY; U.S. Ser. No.11/356,299, filed Feb. 16, 2006, entitled CENTRALLY MONITORED SALES OFSTORAGE BATTERIES; U.S. Ser. No. 11/356,443, filed Feb. 16, 2006,entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER WITH NETWORK COMMUNICATION; U.S. Ser.No. 11/498,703, filed Aug. 3, 2006, entitled THEFT PREVENTION DEVICE FORAUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE SERVICE CENTERS; U.S. Ser. No. 11/507,157, filed Aug.21, 2006, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING A BATTERY TESTERWITH A FIXED RESISTANCE LOAD; U.S. Ser. No. 11/511,872, filed Aug. 29,2006, entitled AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE;U.S. Ser. No. 11/519,481, filed Sep. 12, 2006, entitled BROAD-BANDLOW-CONDUCTANCE CABLES FOR MAKING KELVIN CONNECTIONS TO ELECTROCHEMICALCELLS AND BATTERIES; U.S. Ser. No. 60/847,064, filed Sep. 25, 2006,entitled STATIONARY BATTERY MONITORING ALGORITHMS; U.S. Ser. No.11/638,771, filed Dec. 14, 2006, entitled BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM;U.S. Ser. No. 11/641,594, filed Dec. 19, 2006, entitled METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER OF A VEHICLE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM; U.S.Ser. No. 11/711,356, filed Feb. 27, 2007, entitled BATTERY TESTER WITHPROMOTION FEATURE; U.S. Ser. No. 11/811,528, filed Jun. 11, 2007,entitled ALTERNATOR TESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 60/950,182, filed Jul. 17,2007, entitled BATTERY TESTER FOR HYBRID VEHICLE; U.S. Ser. No.60/973,879, filed Sep. 20, 2007, entitled ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER FORTESTING STATIONARY BATTERIES; U.S. Ser. No. 11/931,907, filed Oct. 31,2007, entitled BATTERY MAINTENANCE WITH PROBE LIGHT; U.S. Ser. No.60/992,798, filed Dec. 6, 2007,entitled STORAGE BATTERY AND BATTERYTESTER; U.S. Ser. No. 12/099,826, filed Apr. 9, 2008, entitled BATTERYRUN DOWN INDICATOR; which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured tomeasure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester isconfigured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wirelessreceiver can be configured to receive pressure information from atransmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a battery tester and a removablemodule.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of the removable module shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic diagram showing electrical lines orconnections in the connector which couples the battery tester to theremovable module illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show couplings between the battery tester andremovable module.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a module and an automotive vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an electronic battery tester for testingstorage batteries in which removable modules can be selectively coupledto the electronic battery tester to extend the functionality of thedevice. In one configuration, the additional functionality is built intothe device and is not carried in a removable module. In various aspects,the invention includes an electronic battery tester adapted to couple toa removable module, a removable module itself and a combination of anelectronic battery tester and a removable module. The following is amore detailed description of the invention. However, in broad aspects,the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations orexample modules set forth herein.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a battery tester 100 configured totest a storage battery 102. Storage battery 102 includes terminals 104and 106 and may comprise a single cell or a plurality of cells. Batterytester 100 includes battery test circuitry 110 which electricallycouples to battery 102 to terminals 104 and 106 of battery 102 throughKelvin connections 112 and 114, respectively. In one aspect, theconnection between test circuitry 110 and battery 102 can be through anyappropriate means and is not limited to Kelvin connections. For example,a split Kelvin configuration, non-Kelvin connections and/or currentsensors can be used. In one specific embodiment circuitry 110 includes aforcing function source 120 configured to apply a forcing functionsignal to battery 102 through Kelvin connections 112 and 114. In such anembodiment, circuitry 110 may also include a response sensor 122electrically coupled to battery 102 through Kelvin connections 112, 114.The response sensor 122 is configured to sense an electrical response ofbattery 102 to the applied forcing function signal. The forcing functionsignal includes a time varying component and can be applied either byinjecting a signal or selectively applying a load to the battery 102.

A digital processor 140 is electrically coupled to circuitry 110 and isconfigured to test the storage battery 102. Processor 140 operates inaccordance with instructions stored in some type of a memory 142 and ata rate determined by clock 144. In one specific embodiment, processor140 measures a dynamic parameter of battery 102. An optionalinput/output (I/O) 146 is provided for coupling to other equipmentand/or for operation by a user.

In accordance with the present invention, a data bus 160 is providedwhich couples processor 140 to a connector 162. The data bus 160 cancarry digital or analog data along with analog signals or electricalpower as desired. Connector 162 is configured to couple to a removablemodule 164 which can be selectively coupled to battery tester 100 to addfunctionality to battery tester 100.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of one example of a removablemodule 164 and shows various component blocks which can be included inmodule 164. Module 164 includes a connector 180 configured to mate withconnector 162 of battery tester 100 and thereby provide a connection todata bus 160. In one aspect, optional digital circuitry 182 is providedand coupled to data bus 160 through connectors 180 and 162. Similarly,in another example aspect, optional analog circuitry 184 is provided andcan also couple to data bus 160 through connectors 180 and 162. Anotheroptional circuit is illustrated as input/output circuit 186 which cancouple to data bus 160 through connectors 180 and 162. Removable module164 can include any combination of circuits 182, 184 and 186. Further,these circuits can optionally interconnect with one another.

FIG. 3 is a electrical diagram showing specific electrical connectionsprovided in one embodiment of connectors 162 and 180. These connectionsare shown for example only and the present invention is not limited tothis particular configuration. The electrical connections shown in FIG.3 form the data bus 160 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A reset connection 202 carries a reset signal between battery tester 100and module 164 such that either unit can cause a reset to occur in theother. This is useful if one of the units is not responding. Line 204carries a circuit ground while lines 206 and 208 carry analog anddigital power, respectively, from the battery tester 100 to the module164. Lines 210 and 212 provide analog inputs from module 164 to batterytester 100. In a specific example, these inputs can range between 0 and5 and can be configured to represent a variable in an analog format.Line 214 carries a battery center voltage connection and is used tocouple to a center terminal of a multi-terminal battery. Unregulatedpower is provided on line 216. A bar code/IRDA connection is provided online 218 and an IR driver connection is provided on line 220. The barcodes/IRDA connection can be used to receive data from module 164 andthe IR driver line 220 can be used to send data to an external device,such as a printer, through module 164.

A frequency count line 222 is provided for transferring data relating tofrequency. TXD and RXD lines are provided on a serial connection 224 fortransferring data serially between module 164 and battery tester 100.Connectors 226 provide a connection through Kelvin connectors 112 and114 and are identified as A, B, C and D. This allows module 164 to havedirect access to the Kelvin connectors 112 and 114.

A two-line data bus connection 228 is provided in accordance with theI²C standard for bi-directional communication between battery tester 100and module 164. Additionally, five lines are provided for a data bus 230which operates in accordance with the SPI standard for datacommunication between battery tester 100 and module 164. A chassy groundis provided on line 232 and a load control is provided on line 234. Loadcontrol line 234 is used to control application of a load contained inmodule 164.

The example data bus 160 shown in FIG. 3 provides a number of differentelectrical connections for sending signals between tester 100 and module164. Depending on the particular signal lines being employed, tester 100and module 164 should be configured appropriately. For example, if aserial bus 224 is used, processor 140 of battery tester 100 and digitalcircuitry 182 from module 164 should have appropriate circuitry tointerface with such a serial connection.

In one embodiment, module 164 comprises a standard battery testerinterface. For example, such an interface can provide a directpassthrough connection with no electronics itself and a standard batteryinterface is built into the main tester body.

In another example, module 164 comprises a 42 volt battery testerinterface. In such an embodiment, the interface can provide voltageand/or conductance scaling by adjusting amplifiers and/or dividernetworks to scale a 42 volt input voltage, or other measurements suchthat they can be used with a standard battery tester interface. Thisallows a single test circuit to be used with differing battery types byscaling applied signals and/or measured values. This is not limited tothe measurement of 42 volt batteries and can be applied to other batterysizes. In general, the battery test module can include circuitry whichcan scale a measurement.

Module 164 can comprise a hybrid vehicle interface. For example, insteadof scaling a 42 volt battery voltage, a much high voltage can be scaledsuch as those present in hybrid vehicles, for example 250 to 400 volts.

Module 164 can comprise an OBDII connector such that battery tester 100can access the OBDII data bus of a vehicle. In another example, module164 comprises a multimeter to thereby add such functionality to batterytester 100. In such an example, Kelvin connectors 112 and 114 can beused to provide signals to module 164 through connection 226. Thesignals can be digitized using digital circuitry 182. This informationis provided back to processor 140 and displayed or output on I/O 146.For example, voltage resistance or current can be measured. In a similarexample, module 164 provides an oscilloscope function.

Communication functions can be provided through module 164 such as radiofrequency or infrared and other wired or wireless communication I/O. Forexample, module 164 can provide an interface to a printer. In anotherexample, module 164 includes a printer such that information can beprinted directly.

Module 164 can include a memory which carries specific software to addadditional software functionality to battery tester 100. Data security,encryption or software unlocking keys can also be provided by a memorymodule 164.

Module 164 can include calibrated values such that specific calibrationscan be performed on battery tester 100. For example, a calibrationreference can be coupled to the tester 100. The value of the referencecan be digitally communicated to the tester 100.

Module 164 can include additional processing circuitry to furtherprocess battery test data.

In one embodiment, analog circuitry 184 includes a large resistive loadwhich can optionally be applied to battery 102 during a test. The loadis configured to draw a large amount of current for performing a loadtest.

Removable module 164 can also provide a backup battery connection foroperating circuitry of battery tester 100. A barcode reader can beincluded in module 164 such that module 164 can be used to read bar codeinformation, for example on a vehicle or on a battery. This informationcan be used by the battery tester 100 or stored for future use. A dataport can be included in module 164, such as a USB port or a PCMCIA port.This allows the battery tester 100 to couple to widely available modulardevices used with personal computers. The module 164 may containadditional memory for storage or data logging or a real time clock.

Module 164 can also contain circuitry or stored algorithms forperforming additional tests such as testing the alternator of a vehicleor the starter, etc.

Removable module 164 can be coupled to measure battery tester 100 usingany appropriate technique. For example, FIG. 4A is a side view showingbattery test module 164 coupling to battery tester 100 through screws300 and 302. Finger grips 304 and 306 can be used to manually tightenthe screws 300, 302, respectively, by an operator. FIG. 4B is a sideview shown another attachment technique in which a spring loaded members310 includes a protrusion 312 which fits into a receptacle 314. A moredetailed view is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4C. Otherattachment techniques include separate screws or attachment elements,snap fit techniques, etc. The mechanisms can be separate elements,molded into the cases of battery tester 100 and/or removable module 164,etc.

In one configuration, the module 164 is used to provide any number ofdifferent types of secondary functionality to the battery tester 100.The module 164 can be removably coupled to a connector, or can be spacedapart from the battery tester and communicate using wireless techniques,or can be contained internally to the tester 100.

In one specific configuration, the module is used to measure variousparameters of tires of a vehicle. For example, the module 164 caninclude a depth gauge used to determine remaining life of tires. Thedepth gauge can be mechanical, optical or use other techniques. Themodule can also include an air pressure gauge which is coupled to avalve of the tire to provide an electrical output. In some newervehicles, tire pressure sensors are carried with the tire and provide awireless output, such as a RF signal. In such a configuration, themodule 164 can be configured to receive the tire pressure informationover the wireless connection.

Other example sensors which can provide secondary functionality includea brake pad wear sensor, a brake rotor wear sensor, a fluid levelsensor, an exhaust emission sensor, temperature sensors, etc. In variousconfigurations, the sensors can either plug into the battery tester 100,be built into the tester, be wired to it by a cable, or communicatewirelessly using, for example, infrared or radio frequency. In oneconfiguration used for measuring parameters of a tire, the sensor caninclude a means to encode which tire is being read. For example, buttonscan be used to indicate left front, right front, left rear and rightrear tire of the vehicle so that the readings can be correlated to thecorrect tire pressure. The data may be merged with battery data or beused independently. In another example, the data can be encoded into anaudit code. In such a configuration, the data is encoded in a manner toreduce fraudulent manipulation of the data. The data can be storedlocally, for example on a temporary memory such as a flash card, or canbe transmitted to a remote location such as a point of sale. Exampletransmission techniques include wireless techniques such as infrared orradio frequency, and any appropriate protocol including for example,TCP/IP.

The data read back from the sensor can be compared against limits andused to trigger alarms. The limits can be based upon the type of vehiclebeing examined or based on other criteria. Additionally, data collectedfollowing maintenance can be compared with data collected prior toperforming maintenance. For example, vehicle information can be storedin a memory which relates to the proper tire inflation pressure(s) for aspecific vehicle or tire. The vehicle type can be input using, forexample, a manual input or the like. The stored data can be in the formof a simple look-up table. In addition to the tire pressures being basedupon vehicle type, the specific type and manufacturer of a tire can alsobe used and data stored related to proper tire inflation.

In vehicles which include circuitry for monitoring tire pressures, andwhere the tire pressures must be different between the front and theback tires, the test system must be able to identify which pressure datacame from which tire. In another aspect of the present invention, thetester 10 can communicate with circuitry in the vehicle to correlatewhere each of the pressure sensors are located. This is important, forexample, if the tires are rotated. The communication to circuitry in thevehicle can be through, for example, an onboard data bus connection suchas OBDII.

Various types of tire measurement instruments have been used. Theseinclude an electronic pressure gauge with a digital readout, amechanical tread depth gauge, an electronic tread depth gauge, forexample, using a laser. In one aspect, the present invention provides acombination mechanical tire pressure sensor and mechanical tire depthgauge, or a combination digital pressure sensor and mechanical depthgauge.

In one aspect, the present invention includes a combined tire pressureand tire temperature measurement test device, a combined electronicpressure and electronic tread depth gauge test device, or a combinedtemperature, pressure and depth gauge, any of which may or may notinclude the ability to print or wirelessly communicate. For example,such a tester can wirelessly communicate with a RF equipped batterytester, and/or can print wirelessly using, for example, an infraredcommunication link to a printer. The tire tester can include an airpressure sensor for coupling to a valve stem on a tire. Examples ofelectronic tread depth sensors include a spring-loaded shutter thatselectively uncovers sequencing LED's or a light sensor detects whichLED's are exposed and converts this information to depth. An infraredtemperature sensor can be used to measure the side wall temperature of atire which can then be used to properly interpret the tire pressuredata.

In a configuration in which the tire tester includes a user output,instructions can be provided to step the operator through the varioustires of the vehicle, for example, left front, right front, right rearand left rear. In another example, if user input is provided, theoperator can provide an indication of which tire is being tested. A userinput can also be used to initiate a particular test. Tests can beselected individually, or an automatic sequence can be initiated whichsteps an operator through the various tests. Collected data can bestored within the tire tester, or can be communicated remotely usingwired or wireless communication techniques. The information can also beprovided to a printer. Additionally, the data collected during thetesting can be displayed and/or reviewed if the device includes adisplay. The collected data can also be stored in a non-volatile memorysuch as an EEPROM for later recovery. In order to conserve batterypower, the system can be configured to automatically turn off after aperiod of non-use. In order to assist the operator, a light source canbe coupled to the device for use in seeing various parts of the tire,for example the valve stem or tread. Units can be selectable, forexample English, metric, PSI, kPa, inches and millimeters. In someconfigurations, the tire tester can wirelessly receive tire pressuredata from imbedded pressure sensor carried in some modern vehicles.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram showing module 164 adjacent vehicle 400.Vehicle 400 includes one or more tires 402 which may include a valve 404for filling tire with air. Tires 402 may also include internal pressuresensors 406 which can wirelessly transmit pressure information. Module164 is configured for operation as discussed above and includes sometype of digital circuitry 410 along with a tire pressure input 412and/or a tread depth gauge input 414. Tire pressure input 412 and treaddepth gauge input 414 can operate using any of the techniques discussedabove and can comprise sensors which are directly coupling to tire 402,or can comprise inputs for receiving information either wired orwirelessly. Digital circuitry 410 can comprise any type of digitalcircuitry and may include a microprocessor or the like.

FIG. 5 also illustrates an optional input 420 and an optional display orother type of output 422. Input 420 can be, for example, a manual inputsuch as a keypad, push button or the like and display 422 can beconfigured for displaying information locally to an operator.Input/output circuitry 424 is also shown as an option in FIG. 5 and cancomprise, for example, circuitry for coupling to a communicationnetwork, wired or wireless communication circuitry, etc. The digitalcircuitry 410 can include memory 430 for containing program instructionsfor implementing software in accordance with the techniques discussedherein. Memory 430 can also be used for storing other types ofinformation. The input/output circuitry 424 is illustrated as couplingto optional external circuitry 434 which can comprise, for example,other digital equipment including a printer for printing test results.In some configurations, module 164 receives power through connectors 162and 180. In another example configuration, module 164 includes aninternal power source such as a battery. Module 164 can also operate asa standalone device and does not require connection to an externalbattery tester. In such a configuration, connector 180 is not required.Module 164 also includes an optional temperature input 416 which cancomprise, for example, a temperature sensor or an input for receivingtemperature information.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. In various configurations, module 164includes no digital circuitry and tire pressure sensor 412 and depthgauge 414 are both mechanical devices. In another configuration,pressure sensor 412 is an electronic device and depth gauge 414 is amechanical device.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A method for performing an electronic battery teston a storage battery, comprising: electrically connecting Kelvinconnectors to the storage battery; applying a forcing function throughthe battery using the Kelvin connectors; responsively measuring adynamic parameter of the storage battery through the battery using theKelvin connectors; coupling to a data module through a databus;communicating between the microprocessor and the data module through thedatabus.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the data bus includes aserial connection.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the data busincludes electrical connections to first and second Kelvin connections.30. The method of claim 27, wherein the data bus includes a power supplyconnection.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the data bus includes areset connection.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the data busincludes an analog voltage connection.
 33. The method of claim 27,wherein the data bus includes a bar code reader connection.
 34. Themethod of claim 27, wherein the data bus includes an infrared driverconnection.
 35. The method of claim 27, wherein the data bus includes afrequency count connection.
 36. The method of claim 27, wherein the databus includes an I²C connection.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein thedata bus includes an SPI connection.
 38. The method of claim 27, whereinthe data bus includes a load control connection.
 39. The method of claim27, including receiving data from a vehicle through a connection to thedigital module.
 40. The method of claim 27, including sending data to aprinter on the data bus.
 41. The method of claim 27, including receivingsoftware from the digital module through the data bus.
 42. The method ofclaim 27, including receiving a software key from the spaced apartdigital module through the data bus.
 43. The method of claim 27,including calibrating measurements by coupling to a calibrated referenceto the spaced apart digital module.
 44. The method of claim 27 whereinthe databus comprises a non-physical connection.
 45. The method of claim44 wherein the non-physical connection comprises an RF connection. 46.The method of claim 44 wherein the non-physical connection comprises anIR connection.
 47. The method of claim 27 including electrically scalinga voltage sensed from the storage battery.
 48. The method of claim 47wherein the electrical scaling is configured to scale a battery from ahighbred vehicle to electrical circuitry in the battery tester.
 49. Themethod of claim 27 including providing multi-meter functionality usingthe module.
 50. The method of claim 27 including providing a backupbattery to electrical circuitry of the battery tester using the module.51. The method of claim 27 including coupling to a communication networkusing the removable module.
 52. The method of claim 51 wherein thecommunication network implements a TCP/IP protocol.
 53. The method ofclaim 51 wherein the communication network comprises a cellular network.